08.18.06
Tracy Young
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
STATUS REPORT: S-081806
NASA’S SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT
Note: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center issues Space Shuttle Processing
Status Reports periodically and is the source for information
regarding processing activities associated with the vehicles and
payloads. This report does not necessarily reflect the chronological
order of future space shuttle missions. If you are a member of the
media and would like further information, visit:
Mission: STS-115 - 19th International Space Station Flight (12A) -
P3/P4 Truss Segment and Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: Aug. 27, 2006, 4:30 p.m. EDT
Crew: Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean and Stefanyshyn-Piper
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
At Launch Pad 39B, hypergolic propellant loading is being completed
today. Following a decision by Space Shuttle Program managers to
remove and replace two Ku-band antenna actuator bolts in the forward
section of the orbiter payload bay, workers are preparing access
platforms and will complete the task over the weekend. The bolts will
be replaced with longer versions to ensure adequate thread
engagement. Ordnance installation is now scheduled for Sunday
evening, pending completion of the bolt replacement.
Earlier this week, flight crew systems workers installed
extravehicular maneuvering units in the crew cabin. The suits are
worn by shuttle crew members for spacewalks.
In Houston, the STS-115 crew is completing its final prelaunch
physicals and a final flight data file review today, before heading
into quarantine this weekend for the Aug. 27 launch.
Mission: STS-116 - 20th International Space Station Flight (12A.1) -
P5 Truss Segment
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: No earlier than Dec. 14, 2006
Launch Pad: 39B
Crew: Polansky, Oefelein, Curbeam, Higginbotham, Patrick, Fuglesang
and Williams
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Processing of Discovery for its next mission, STS-116, continues in
Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3. Window No. 7 was installed this
week. The orbiter docking mechanism has been stowed for flight.
Engineers determined this week that auxiliary power unit No. 3, which
experienced a thermostat malfunction during STS-121, has an
electrical short, and the unit will be replaced. X-rays of the main
propulsion system check valves are complete, and preparations for the
replacement of orbital maneuvering system thruster L5L are under way.
Endeavour (OV-105)
Powered-up system testing continues on Endeavour in Orbiter Processing
Facility bay 2 following an extensive modification period. Leak
checks of Freon coolant loop No. 2 are nearing completion. Workers
continue to install wire harnesses on the remote manipulator system
(shuttle arm) pedestals. Rigging of the pedestals is complete, and
installation of the arm is scheduled for early September. The
orbiter’s point sensor box was installed. On the flight deck,
functional testing of the pilot and commander seats was successfully
completed.
-end-